Oh, Baby! Reynoso Creates $50,000 Fund For Community Baby Showers

BROOKLYN, NY — Last April, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted a “Brooklyn Community Baby Shower” in Brownsville that was chock-full of games, crafts, free supplies, and information about pregnancy and postpartum care for 100 new and expecting parents.

Now, Reynoso is setting aside $50,000 for Brooklyn nonprofits to host similar events in Brooklyn that support new parents’ health and wellbeing.

“No Brooklynite should have to experience the joys and anxieties of pregnancy and parenthood alone, and community baby showers offer a powerful venue for neighbors to come together in celebration and in support of one another,” Reynoso said.

Since the beginning of his time in office, the borough president has made improving maternal health outcomes a primary focus, and he seeks to address the significant racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. According to Reynoso, Black women in New York City are eight times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their white counterparts.

The 'Community Baby Shower Fund' is designed to provide new and expecting parents in Brooklyn with the support they need, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods including Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, East New York, Canarsie, Flatbush, Midwood, Coney Island, Sunset Park and Brownsville.

“It’s my honor to support the nonprofits who are doing the work of caring for our neighbors and plugging the holes left by decades of disinvestment in largely Black and Brown and low-income neighborhoods,” Reynoso said. “By celebrating the exciting journey of parenthood for new parents and providing resources to raise our newest Brooklynites, we’re proving that we can help close the gaps in maternal healthcare through community, celebration, and love – the Brooklyn way.”

To apply for the matching funds and get ideas for event activities and best practices, go here. The borough president says that the applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are no longer available, or until May 2025.